Back
Victor Dias - June 10, 2024
France and the Netherlands are overwhelming favourites to proceed out of this group given their superior firepower and Euros history, however, the Euros could provide upsets and both teams will know not to count out Poland. There is also the question of who tops the group. We will take a look at the teams and consider their chances.
The 2018 World Cup winners and two-time European Champions In Germany in search of a third European crown, after recent disappointments at the Euros in 2020 and the World Cup in Qatar at the hands of Argentina.
Didier Deschamps and the boys know there are a lot of promises around this team and they must deliver those promises. Deschamps himself understands the feeling of winning the Euros, having captained the team that won the year 2000 edition co-hosted by Netherlands and Belgium. Coincidentally, they were also placed in group D alongside the Netherlands, finishing second behind the cohost to advance to the knockout stage.
The Les Blues do not seem to be short of talent at the moment. They are buoyed by the presence of the captain and new Real Madrid signing Kylian Mbappe. The 25-year-old who made his French National team debut in 2017, has scored 46 goals in 77 appearances, winning the World Cup and Nations League title.
With his club future settled, Mbappe will now turn his sight to leading his teammates to success. Indeed, he had a great season with PSG, scoring 43 goals and providing 7 assists to win the double and secure his sixth consecutive Ligue 1 Golden Boot. According to Squawka, as of the March international break, Mbappe had been directly involved in more than 450 goals for club and country raking up 323 goals and 130 assists in 432 appearances.
But it is not just about Mbappe. The French National team have a pretty balanced squad of youth and experience.
From Olivier Giroud who is set for his last hurrah to the shock call-up handed to Ngolo Kante, Antoine Griezmann, there are exciting prospects in players like Eduardo Camavinga, Randal Kolo Muani, Bradley Barcola, Warren Zaire-Emery and William Salina who have all enjoyed a fine season with their respective clubs.
Antoine Griezmann particularly has played different roles for club and country and will continue in the creative space with which he has operated for Deschamps, as seen at the World Cup where he created the most chances playing as a No 10.
Prediction: France came out of a difficult qualifying group which had the Netherlands, Greece, Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar. They also defeated Netherlands home and away putting six goals past them and conceding one. They are not just favourites to progress from the group, they are also favourites to win the Championship.
Hot Stat: Kylian Mbappé was the first player in Europe’s top five leagues to be directly involved in 40+ goals across all competitions in 2023/24 and it only took him 34 games. (Sqwuaka)
Since winning the European Championships in 1988, the Netherlands have come agonizingly close to winning again, but they appear yet far away. Between 1988 and now, they have been to the semi-finals twice, quarter-finals twice, failed to make it out of the group stage in 2012, did not qualify in 2016 and disappointingly crashed out in the round of 16 in 2020 when they lost 2-0 to Czech Republic.
There have been a lot of question marks on this team in recent years as they appear to have consistently underperformed their potential. In 2020, they emerged out of an easy group winning all their matches, only to fall 2-0 to the Czech Republic in the round of 16. To put matters into perspective, that 2020 squad led by Frank De Boer had Matthijs De Ligt, Nathan Ake, Wijnaldum, De Jong, Depay and Blind who were all on top of their game and in form with their respective clubs.
A lot has changed since then, with Ron Koeman returning to the fold. In his first stint in charge of the Oranje, he qualified the team for the Euro 2020 but did not lead the team. This time, he has been presented with the chance to lead the team and he must produce the result. He stated his intention to return to the famous 4-3-3 formation per NL Times and subsequently got trashed 4-0 by France in his first game back in charge. He will seek to dominate games at the Euros and present an organized team.
There are a number of concerns for the Dutch squad heading into the Euros. Though uncapped yet, Dortmund’s left-back Ian Maatsen who played a pivotal role in his club’s journey to the Champions League final, making the Champions League team of the season was cut from the final 26-man squad. His exclusion has left trans scratching their heads in disbelief. The Oranje will yet again count on Memphis Depay who despite his fitness issues has been called up and is six goals away from equaling Robin Van Persie’s record.
Defensively, the team will count on Virgil Van Dijk’s leadership and Jeremie Frimpong who had an incredible season with Bayer Leverkusen as an integral part of the team that won the league unbeaten. There is also 21-year-old Xavi Simons who has taken the world by surprise with his performance with RB Leipzig. In his first season in the Bundesliga, he had 19 goals contribution in 37 appearances.
It is however not clear if Koeman will stick to 4-3-3, 3-4-3 or consider loading the midfield in a 3-5-2 formation.
Prediction: The expectation is for the Oranje to progress from the group stage behind France and possibly get as far as the quarter-finals.
The first time Poland made it out of the group stage at the Euros, they made it to the quarter-finals, falling to Portugal on penalties in 2016. They advanced just behind Germany leveled on points. They are now seeking to make it out of the group for just the second time in their history. It is their fifth consecutive Euros appearance since 2008, and the experience has been mostly forgettable.
They are out in Germany in search of their third win at the Euros. They have managed just 2 wins in 14 Euro Championship matches. It is unlikely that they will usurp France and Netherlands in group D, but they could fancy their chances playing against Austria who have also been placed in the group. The outcome of that game could be their shot at qualifying as one of the best third-place teams.
The Eagles have some key players who could be the difference maker in whatever little chance they have to progress. Robert Lewandowski’s goals-scoring prowess will always see him emerge as a contender for the Golden Boot at any competition. He is the team’s record goal scorer with 82 goals. Regarded as one of the best players of his generation, he will always remain a threat to any team, however, there is only so much he can do in a team that appears to lack quality.
Even so, players like Zielinski who is the creative spark of the team will have to show up and show out. Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior and Southampton’s Jan Bednarek will have to be in fine form for the team to achieve its aim.
Prediction: They are the wildcards in this group and can spring up a surprise but we do not see them making it out of the group automatically. They can however get their third win at the Euros.
Austria could easily pass as dark horses in this group with an outside chance of progressing, albeit via a best third-place finish. That will prove to be more difficult considering injuries to key players in the squad and a difficult group.
David Alaba expectedly has been left out of the squad to Germany following a late recovery from an ACL injury. In his absence, Ralf Rangnick still has Inter Milan striker Marko Arnautovic to call on, as he is Austria’s all-time leading goal scorer with 36 goals. There is also Marcel Sabitzer who found form at Borussia Dortmund after a poor loan spell at Manchester United.
It is Austria’s 4th appearance at the European Championship, with their best result coming in 2020 where they made it to the round of 16. They are searching for their third win at the Championship, and Ralf Ragnick knows whatever formation he decides to stick with, the outcome must be to do better than the previous outing at the Euros to make a quarterfinal finish.
Prediction: It is really tough to see them making it out of the group, however, their chances just like Poland is to qualify through a best third-place finish and that game against Poland will prove key.
Netherlands vs France:
This fixture has all the elements to define how this group turns out, with France winning their last two meetings. It is left to be seen if Netherlands can mount a challenge.
Poland vs Austria:
Both teams will want to put themselves in a vantage position to seal qualification through a best third place finish knowing they are in a tough group. This could just be the fixture that will decide that.
The 2022 World Cup champions France are outright favourites to top this group, with Netherlands hoping to challenge them. We will have to find out which one of Poland and Austria can spoil the party as football can be unpredictable
Also Read
Euro 2024 Group A Preview and Predictions
Euro 2024 Group B Preview and Predictions
Euro 2024 Group C Preview and Predictions
